Bed lift



June 13, 1944. o, cH ERs 2,351,106

BED LIFT' Filed May 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 13, 1944. J. o. CHAMBERS BED LIFT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1943 WWW m OIIZQS clclznmbers.

filrlllai Ill'i'i'l llll llirll' 1' f Patented June 13, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEQTJFT "James Chambers, Fort Worth, Tex. Application May 18, 1943, Serial No. 487,503

12 Claims. (01. 5--83) The present invention relates to bed lifts, and

more particularly tosimple, eflicient, and comfortable means for raising a patient.

An important feature of vthe invention consists in providing a bed lift with a transversely disposed flexible member for supporting the pa-. tient, and operatively connecting the supporting member to means which automatically tightens the supporting member as the latter is raised to lift the patient from the bed.

Another object consists in providing a liftv attachmentwhich can be readily connected to various types and sizes of beds at a minimum expenditure of time and effort, and in which the parts are arranged and constructed to permit the attendants to care for the patient without being handicapped or obstructed in their work.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which show a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed showing my improved lift associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1 and showing parts in dotted lines in their raised positions;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view with parts broken away for clearness of illustration;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of one of the supporting cross-pieces taken along the line 6-6 of' Figure 3;

Figure! is a detail perspective view of the operating shaft;

Figure 8 is a detail view of one end of the operating shaft, showing in dotted lines the different positions which may be assumed by the operating handle; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9+9 of Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views, I designates ahospital bed having the side rails II and end rails I2 to which are secured the springs I3, so as to provide a support for the mattress I4.

Associated with the bed are a pair of casings or gear boxes I and I5, each of which is Provided with an upwardly diverging housing 18 that terminates at its lower end in an enlarged annular shoulder I! which, in turn, is formed with a flange or web I8 connected to the inner wall of the casing.

A tubular member or sleeve I9 extends into each of the housings I6 and is revolubly mount ed therein by the ball bearings 29 at the upper end of the housing and the ball bearings 2| carried by the lower end portion of the tubular member. The tubular member I9 is interiorly threaded as at 22, and these threads mesh with the external threads 23 on a worm or threaded drive shaft 24 so that rotation of the shaft 24 imparts axial or longitudinal movement to the tubular member I9. The lower end of the worm 24 has a smooth portion 25 which extends through the flange I8 and has associated therewith the ball bearings 2|. A beveled gear 26 is non-rotatably secured'as at 21 to the shaft 24. Gear 26 meshes with a complementary beveled gear 28 having a hub 29 journaled in the ball bearings 39 mounted in a tubular boss 3i that extends inwardly from the lower end of each of the casings I5 and I 5'.

A cross-piece 32 formed with a trough 33 in its'upper surface (Figure 3) is provided with a .depending arm 24" which extends a limited distance within the upper end of the adjacent tubular member I9 of the casing I5 and is welded-or otherwise secured thereto so that the tubular member I9 and the cross-piece 32 constitute an integral structure that is raised or lowered upon :the rotation of the shaft 24. The trough 33 is positioned to receive one end of a flexible orextensible supporting member which may be made of any suitable strong and durable fabricated .material, such as canvas or the like. As shown, this supporting member comprises two spaced straps or bands 34 and 35 which have their end portions 36 extending into the trough 33. A bar 31 extends the length of the cross-piece 32 and ;is arranged to fit within the trough 33 and bear against the end portions 36 of the straps. Clamping means inthe form; of an eccentric 33 is positioned adjacent each end of the'cross-piece 32 r and above the bar 31 (Figure l) and may be .se-

cured to the cross-piece in any suitable manner, such as by the ring or strap 39. The eccentric .38 has a handle 49 and. is arranged to bear against the bar 31 so as to firmly clamp the end portions -36 of e the straps between the wall of the trough and the bar 31. In order to further insure the straps being held in firm engagement, the bar 31 may be provided withteeth 4| which bear against the straps when the parts are set up.

The opposite end portions 42 of the straps 34 and 35 fit into a trough 43 (Figure 6) formed in a cross-piece 44 which extends substantially parallel to the cross-piece 32. A bar 45 similar to the bar 31 fits within the trough 43 so as to bear against the end portions 42 of the straps. An eccentric 46 is mounted adjacent each end of the cross-piece 44 and is secured thereto by a fastening ring. 41. The eccentric 46 has a handle 48 arranged to move the eccentric into and out of clamping engagement with the adjacent end portions of the straps. The crosspiece 44 medially thereof is provided with a. de-

pending lug 49 having a threaded opening 50 which receives the threaded portion I of ahorizontal rod 52 that extends through a tubular member 53. The member 53 has a depending arm 24a which extends into the upper end of the adjacent tubular member I9 and is welded or otherwise secured thereto in the same manner as the arm 24'. The outer end portion of the rod 52 has a laterally disposed arm or portion 53 to which is connected a handle 54. It will be seen that upon the rotation of the shaft 52 by the manual actuation of the handle 54, that the straps 34 and 35 maybe maintained taut or be loosened according to the desired comforts of the patient. Moreover, the" driving means carried by the casings I5 and I5 constitute vertically inclined operating means which are axially movable relative to the casings andare connected to the ends of the transverse flexible or extensible supporting means 'to insure'the tubular gears to the shaft 55. One end of the shaft 55 has a reduced threaded portion 60 (Figure 3) which extends beyond the outer wall of the casing I5, so as to receive a winged nut' 6|. The other end portion of the shaft 55 is bent laterally as at 62 and carries a handle 63. It will be seen that the shaft 55 may be readily attached to the casings I5 and I5 to operate the gears, and that when the parts are setup, the wing nut 6| will firmly bear against the adjacent wall of the casing I5, to maintainthe lift in a firm position. Each of the casings I5 and I5 is formed on its inner side with spaced flanges 64 which are substantially the same width as the side rails I I, so as to provide channel bars which engage the rails in the manner as shownin Figure 3. Clamping screws 65 may be associated with the lower flanges 64 in order to coact with the clamping means 6| to insure the casings I5, and I5'and their associated parts 63 may assume an out of the way position when not in use, means are provided for allowing these handles to fall to a vertical position. This may be effected by providing the handle 63 (Figure '7) with a flat reduced inner end portion 66 which extends into a vertical slot 61 in the arm 62, so as to be movable therein. The reduced end portion 66 has laterally projecting flat lugs 68 (Figure 9) which slidably fit in straight slots 69 that communicate with curved slots I6 formed in thesides of the arm 62 opposite the recess 61. Thus it will be seen that when the handle 63 is in its horizontal position, the lug 68 snugly .flts in the straight slots 69 so as to rotate the shaft 55 upon the actuation of the handle.

. When the handle 63 is moved upwardly into the recess .61, .the lug 6B rotatably fits within the being firmly held in position on the bed. While 7 the lifthas been shown in the form of an attachment whichmay readily be detachably connected 'tofa hospital or any other type of bed,v

it will be manifest that it may be alsoinstalled as a permanent partof a bedjstructure. "In- In order that the operating handles 54 and.

curvedslot 10, so as to allow the handle 63 to rbHlOVEd independently of the arm 62 and. thus fall to an out of the way vertical position, so as not to interfere with the attendant when treating the patient. The reduced end of the handle 54 is similarly provided with flat outwardly projecting lugs II arranged to be slidable' in a keyhole slot 12, so as to either assume a horizontal position as shown in Figure 3 or to extend downwardly in alignment with the arm 53 of the shaft 52.

In operation, assuming that the lift attachment is of the type arranged to be detachably connected to the bed, the casings I5 and I5 are connected to the side rails I I through the flanges or channel members 64 at a point adjacent the body of the patient. The shaft 55 which is normally carried by. the casing I5 now extends under the bed and is passed through the open ings 56 in the casing I5 and locked to the beveled gear therein through engagement of the key'59 with the groove 58. The thumb nut 6| is then applied to the threaded end 66 to firmly maintain the casings in rigid position on the bed. If desired, the clamping screws 65 may be used to insure the lift attachment being maintained in a fixed position. The straps 34 and are positioned. under the body of the patient and connected to the cross-pieces 32 and 44 by the rods 31 and and their associated clamping levers. The handle 63 is then rotated, which causes the tubular members I9 and their associated parts to be simultaneously elevated and moved. away from each other, thus raising the patient from the bed and at the same time further separating the cross-pieces 32 and 43 from .each other so as to gradually tighten the straps 34 and 35. When the body of the patient is lifted the prcperdistance away from the bed or mattress, a bed pan or the like may be positioned under the patient, thus providing simple and eflicient means for comfortably and conveniently lifting the patient. The spaced bearings 20 and 2| rotatably support the tubular members I9 in the housings I6, thus providing means to permit free turning movement of the members l9 and their associated parts, so that when the weight of a patient is applied to the flexible supporting means or straps 34, there is no tendency for these parts to bind as would be the case if the tubular members were fixed or non-rotatable. In other words, the flexible members are connected to the inclined supporting means so that the patient may twist or turn without physical discomfiture. As the lubricated parts are enclosed Within the casings there is no danger of oil or grease soiling the clothes. of the attendant or patient. It will also: be seen that the attachment may be used to raise the patient so that X-ray pictures may be taken, or to raise a patient in a cast or splint, or when some operating procedure inhibits the patient from lying comfortably on his back. Due to the simplicity and compactness of the parts, the attendant may easily operate the lift from one side of the bed, and, if necessary, may also handle the patient without difliculty.

The straps 34 and 35 are so spaced apart that when a bed pan is to be used, an additional movable seat can be supported by the straps so that the patient may sit in a comfortable position. As the tubular members l9 and their associated parts diverge upwardly from each other, it will be seen that the straps '34 and 35 are gradually tightened, due to the increased distance between the crosspieces 32 and 45 as the rods are elevated, thus eliminating the necessity of manuallytightening the flexible support during this operation. Should it be necessary, for any reason, to either further tighten or loosen the straps 34 and 35, this maybe done by actuating the handle 54 on the rod 52. When the patient is lifted the proper distance, the handles 54 and 63 are moved to their inoperative vertical positions, so as not to interfere with the attendant handling the patient. As the straps are readily removable, it will be seen that should they become soiled, they can be quickly changed for clean straps, thus insuring the provision of sanitary means for lifting the patient.

While the flexible supporting member has been shown in the form of straps, it will be manifest that other similar means may be used, such as a single piece of canvas having an opening in the center and the opening arranged to receive rubber rings attached to the canvas. In

incontinent cases, the flexible supporting means may be in the form of plastic, oil silk, or similar material.

The lift may be readily, dismantled by disconnecting the straps from their supports and removing thefnut Bl from the shaft55 which permits the withdrawal of the casing from the bed and the shaft. The casing l5 which carries the shaft 55 may then be removed, and, if necessary, the lift may be attached to another bed for the purpose of raising the patient. The grooves 51 and 58 in the shaft 55 permit the convenient removal of the casing l5 and its associated parts from the shaft without disturbi'ng the connection of the shaft with the easing l5. The shaft 55 may be provided with a continuous groove, in which event it may be completely withdrawn from the casing I I5 as well as the casing l5.

Thus, it will be seen that an automatic or self-tightening'lift is provided for comfortably and conveniently raising a patient from a bed and which is so constructed and arranged as to allow the nurse orfattendant to properly care for the patient without being bothered by ob ectionable or protruding parts which might seriously interfere with her work.

While the lift attachment has been shown as separate from the bed, it will be obvious that it could .be readily installed as a permanent part of ajhospital or other type of bed withoutin any way interfering with the eflicient operation of the device. The threaded engagement of the rods 24 with the revoluble tubular members l9 coact with. the "meshed gears to maintain the flexible means and its associated parts in any predetermined adjusted position relative to the bed without requiring the use of additional locking means.

It will be understood that the form of the invention shown is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment, and that such changes may be made as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 5

1. In combination with a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed, inclined lifting means longitudinally movable in said casings, flexible supporting means extending across the bed and connected to the lifting means, and means for imparting movement to the lifting means, the inclined lifting means when raised being moved away from each other to move the opposite ends of the flexible supporting means outwardly to tighten the same.

2. In combination with a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed, inclined lifting means longitudinally movable in said casings, bearing means on said casing rotatably mounting said lifting means thereon, flexible supporting means extending across the bed and connected to the lifting means, and means for imparting movement to the lifting means, the inclined lifting means whenraised being moved away from each other-to move the opposite ends of the flexible supporting means outwardly to tighten the same, said lifting means being rotatable in the casings to allow free turning movement thereof and prevent binding when the weight of a patient is applied to the flexible supporting means.

3. In combination with a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed and connected to the side rails thereof, each of said casings have ing a vertical inclined passage, a tubular member rotatably and axially movable in said passage, drive means operatively connected to the tubular member for imparting axial movement thereto, flexible supporting means extending across the bed and connected to the tubular members, and means for simultaneously rotating the drive means to impart axial movement to the tubular members, the tubular members when raised being moved away from each other so as to tighten theflexible supporting means.

4. .In combination with a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of thebed and connected to the side rails thereof, each of said casings having a vertically inclined internally threaded tubular member axially movable therein, a worm extended into the tubular member and engaging the threads thereof for moving the same, flexible supporting means extending across the bed, means connecting the ends of the supporting means to said tubular members, and means for simultaneously rotating the worms to impart axial movement to the tubular members, said tubular members when raised being moved away from each other so as to tighten the flexible means. 1

5. In combination with a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed, inclined operating means axially movable in. said casings, exten-.

siblesupporting means extending acrossthe'bed and connected to the operating means, means for imparting axial movement to the operating means in each casing,'the inclined operating means-whenraisedbeing moved away from each other so as to tighten the extensible supporting means, and means carried byone of the operating means and connected toone end of: the extensible supporting means fortightening the latter.

6. In combination with a bed, an invalid liftingdevice comprising-a pairxof casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed and-connected to the side rails thereofleach of said casings having a vertically inclined internally threaded tubular member axially movableitherein, a worm extended-into the tubular member and engagin the threads thereof for moving the same, flexible supporting means extending across the bed, means connecting the ends of the supporting means to said tubular members, means for simultaneously rotating the worms: to impart axial movement to'the tubular members, said tubular members when raisedbeing moved away from each other so as to tighten the flexible means, and means carried; by one of the tubular members and connected to one end of the flexible means for adjusting the tension of the latter.

t 7. In combination with-a bed, an invalid lifting device comprising, a pain of casings, disposedon opposite sides of the; :bed; and, connected to the side rails thereof,: each ,ofsaid casings having a vertically inclined int rnally threaded tubular member axially movable therein,.a .Worm ,extended into the tubularmemberand engaging the-threads thereof for {moving the same, flexible supporting means" extending across. the bed, means connecting .;the' endsof the. supporting means to said tubular members, ,and a gear mechanism'ccnnected to eachfjof the worm for imparting axialmovement to the tubular members, said tubular members when raisedbeing moved away from each other so, as to tighten the flexible. means. 8'. In combination with a bed, an invalidjlifting deviceicomprising a pairfof casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed and connected to the side rails thereo f,p each of said casings having a housing, a vertically inclined interiorly threaded tubular member revolubly mounted in said housing, a wormextending into said tubular member and having an externally'threaded portion coacting with the threads 'on said member, so that upon rotation ,of'theworm axial movement is imparted to said tubular m ember, flex-' ible supporting means extendinglacrossfthe bed andabove the sameymeans connecting said flexible means to the upper ends of"said*tubular members, gear mechanism connected to 'each of the Worms, a drive shaft operatively'co'nnected to the gear mechanism 'for simultaneously imparting axial movement to the tubular members to vertically move the flexible means, said tubu larmembers when raised being moved away from each other so as toftightenthe flexible means, and means carried by one 6f said tubular members and connected to one end ofthe flexible means'for adjustingthe tension of the latter.

9. In combination'witha bed; an invalid lifting device comprising a pair of casings disposed on opposite sides of the bed and connected to the side rails Jthereof, each ofsaid .casingsi havinga housing, a vertically inclined interiorly threaded tubular memb'eraxially movable in each housing, a worm? extending ,into said member and having an extemallyvthreadedportion coacting'with the threads on'said member so that rotation of th worm, imparts axial movement to the tubular member, a cross-piece on theupper end of one of said tubular members, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on the upper end of the other tubular member, a cross-piece operatively connected tosaid shaft and disposed substantially parallel to said: first-mentioned crosspiece-flexible supporting means extending across the bed and detachably connected to said crosspieces, means for actuating the threaded shaft for controlling the tension of the flexible means, and driving means operatively connected to the worms for imparting axialmovement to the tubular members, saidv tubular ,members when moved upwardly being moved. away from each other so as to tighten the flexible means.

10. A lift attachment for beds comprising a pair of casings. arrangedtobe secured to opposite sides of a bed, each of said casings having an inclined tubular .member axially movable therein, drive means in said tubular member and operatively-connected thereto, a. cross-piece on the upper end of .one of said tubular members, a threaded shaftrotatablymounted on the .upper end of the other tubular member, a cross piece operatively connected to said shaft and disposed substantially parallel tosaid first-mentioned cross-piece; flexible bodysupporting means disposed between the cross-pieces, means detachably connecting, theend of the supporting means to said cross-pieces, and means for simultaneously operating. the drive means to impart axial movement to the tubular members to move the supporting, means vertically, said tubular members in their upward movement being moved away from each other so as to tighten the flexiblemeans. V 11.. A lift attachment for beds comprising a pair of casings arranged tobe secured to opposite sides of a bed, each of said casings having an inclined tubular member revolubly and axially movable therein, an inclined ,vworm extending into the tubular member and .operatively con-, nected thereto, a cross-pieceon the upper end of one of said tubular membersfhavi'ng a. trough therein, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on the upper end of the other tubular member, a cross-piece operatively connected to said shaft and having a trough disposed substantiallyparallel to said first-mentioned trough, flexible body supporting means .disposedbetween the crosspieces and having end portions positioned in said troughs, means for clamping. the end portions of theflexible meansin the troughs, and means for simultaneously rotating the worm to impart axial movement to the tubularmembers to move the supporting means vertically, said tubular members in their upward movement being moved away from eachother so as toi-tighten the flexible means. .7 p 12. -A lift attachment for beds comprising -a pair of casings arranged to be secured to oppositesides of a bed, each of said casings having an inclined tubular member revolubly and axially movable therein, an. inclined worm extending into the tubularv member and operatively 'connected thereto, across-piece onthe ,upper end of one of said tubular membershaving a trough therein, a threaded shaft rotatably mounted on the upper end of the other tubular member, a cross-piece ,operatively connected to said shaft and having a trough disposed substantially parallel to said first-mentioned trough, flexiblebody supporting means disposed between the crosspieces and having end portions positioned in said troughs, means for clamping the end portions of the flexible means in the troughs, means for simultaneously rotating the worms to impart axial movement to the tubular members to move the supporting means vertically, said tubular mem- 

